# ようと思う: be thinking of doing

> Learn how to use ようと思う, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning be thinking of doing, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-you-to-omou/

**ようと思う** means **be thinking of doing**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is chosen independently from the source-list gloss so it stays natural, concise, and useful for learners searching for **ようと思う**.

<div class="pullquote">
<strong>ようと思う</strong> turns the volitional form into a personal intention: "I'm thinking of doing ~."
</div>

## What does ようと思う mean?

Use **ようと思う** when you want to express **be thinking of doing** in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:
- be thinking of doing
- to express "be thinking of doing" naturally
- the closest natural meaning in context

## How to form ようと思う

Attach **と思う** to the **volitional form** of a verb.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (volitional)</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">と思う</span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- Volitional form + と思う
- ようと思う
- related form: つもり

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

## When is ようと思う used?

Use **ようと思う** in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation, signs, or short passages

Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, formal, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese

## ようと思う example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>週末<rt>しゅうまつ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>映画<rt>えいが</rt></ruby>を<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>ようと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>います。</div>
<div class="example-en">I am thinking of watching a movie this weekend.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">Polite</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>来年<rt>らいねん</rt></ruby>、<ruby>日本<rt>にほん</rt></ruby>へ<ruby>行<rt>い</rt></ruby>こうと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>っています。</div>
<div class="example-en">I am thinking of going to Japan next year.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">Ongoing intention</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>今日<rt>きょう</rt></ruby>は<ruby>早<rt>はや</rt></ruby>く<ruby>寝<rt>ね</rt></ruby>ようと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>います。</div>
<div class="example-en">I think I will go to bed early today.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">Immediate plan</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>新<rt>あたら</rt></ruby>しい<ruby>仕事<rt>しごと</rt></ruby>を<ruby>探<rt>さが</rt></ruby>そうと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>っています。</div>
<div class="example-en">I am thinking of looking for a new job.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">Polite</span> <span class="example-tag">Ongoing</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>先生<rt>せんせい</rt></ruby>に<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>いてみようと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>います。</div>
<div class="example-en">I think I will try asking the teacher.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">Tentative</span></div>
</div>

</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **ようと思う** is doing: expressing that the speaker is thinking of doing something. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of ようと思う

The key nuance is **be thinking of doing in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because **ようと思う** can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

<div class="note-callout">
<span class="note-icon">💡</span>
<div class="note-body">
Because <strong>よう</strong> appears in several grammar patterns, always check the particle that follows it before deciding on the meaning.
</div>
</div>

## ようと思う vs つもり

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

<div class="compare">

<div class="cmp a">
<div class="cmp-head">ようと思う</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">Focuses on "be thinking of doing."</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Use when expressing a current, personal intention.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>来年<rt>らいねん</rt></ruby>、<ruby>日本<rt>にほん</rt></ruby>へ<ruby>行<rt>い</rt></ruby>こうと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>っています。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">I am thinking of going to Japan next year.</div>
</div>

<div class="vs">vs</div>

<div class="cmp b">
<div class="cmp-head">つもり</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">Indicates a plan; may change the tone, direction, evidence, or sentence focus.</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Use when stating a stronger or more definite intention.</div>
</div>

</div>

Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: <ruby>週末<rt>しゅうまつ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>映画<rt>えいが</rt></ruby>を<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>ようと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>います。 — I am thinking of watching a movie this weekend.
- Related pattern with **つもり**: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

## Common mistakes with ようと思う

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark bad">❌</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="bad">Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark good">✅</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="good">Read the whole sentence to confirm ようと思う marks intention before translating.</span></div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark bad">❌</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="bad">Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark good">✅</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="good">Attach と思う only to the volitional form of verbs.</span></div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark bad">❌</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="bad">Confusing ようと思う with つもり because the English can sound similar.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<span class="mark good">✅</span>
<div class="mline-body"><span class="good">Remember that ようと思う is softer ("thinking of") while つもり is closer to "plan to."</span></div>
</div>
</div>

</div>

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **ようと思う**, then rewrite it with **つもり**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

## Is ようと思う on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
<div class="jlpt-shield">N4</div>
<div class="jlpt-info">
<p><strong>ようと思う</strong> is tested on the <strong>JLPT N4</strong>.</p>
<div class="jlpt-checks">
<div>Recognize the volitional + と思う formation in reading</div>
<div>Understand the nuance of a tentative intention</div>
<div>Use it in simple original sentences</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for ようと思う

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">1</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Write one short sentence using the basic structure.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">Basic</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">2</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">Variation</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">3</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">Comparison</span>
</div>

</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

## Learning path for ようと思う

Use **ようと思う** as part of your **JLPT N4** change, decision, and intention grammar toolkit. Track who controls the change or decision in **ようと思う**. Some patterns show natural change, some show personal effort, and others show a decision made by someone or by circumstances.

<div class="path">

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<div class="step-body">Make one short sentence with <strong>ようと思う</strong> using a verb you use often.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<div class="step-body">Compare it with <a href="/blog/n4-yotei-da/">予定だ</a> and notice the difference in certainty.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<div class="step-body">Add <a href="/blog/n4-zehi/">ぜひ</a> or <a href="/blog/n4-you-ni-naru/">ようになる</a> to see how the nuance changes.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">4</span>
<div class="step-body">Rewrite the sentence with a different subject or time expression.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">5</span>
<div class="step-body">Contrast it with <a href="/blog/n4-you-ni-suru/">ようにする</a> or <strong>つもり</strong> to sharpen your intuition.</div>
</div>

</div>

For practice, write one sentence that uses **ようと思う** in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.

## Related grammar to review next

- [予定だ](/blog/n4-yotei-da/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- [ぜひ](/blog/n4-zehi/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- [ようになる](/blog/n4-you-ni-naru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- [ようにする](/blog/n4-you-ni-suru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)

## Learn ようと思う with Hane

If you want to review **ようと思う** together with intention and planning patterns, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)